Juan Manuel Marquez rejects Cotto fight on weight issues

Mexican boxing star Juan Manuel Marquez has finally rejected the proposed fight against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico due to disagreement by the parties on weight issues after Marquez set the limit for the fight at 147 pounds.

Cotto has been active in the middleweight limit of 154 pounds but he was reportedly willing to move down to 150 pounds for the Marquez fight.

Negotiation for the Marquez-Cotto fight has been going on for the past couple of months after Marquez made known his intention to face Cotto at no more than the welterweight limit of 147 pounds.

'It's 147 or no fight," said Marquez, who hasn't fought since his unanimous decision win against Mike Alvarado in May 2014 due to knee injury.

But last Wednesday, Bryan Perez of Cotto's promotions outfit said Marquez is no longer an option for the Cotto fight due to disagreement on the weight issues.

"The fight [we wanted] was with Marquez, but he made some public statements regarding the terms for the weight. That was the fight Miguel wanted, but it is not going to happen. The position of Marquez was clear and we respect it. There was too much posturing and this time [the discussions] failed. Hopefully it can happen later on," Perez told ESPN Deportes.

"I have no regrets [over rejecting Cotto's terms], because we tried to make the fight but in the end he did not accept 147 pounds and wanted 150. For me, fighting at 150 pounds was to giving up too much and it was a big benefit for them. Him going down to 147, maybe it was the same." said Marquez after Cotto declined face him at 147 pounds.

Marquez has been trying to make arrangement for a tune up fight before facing Cotto. But he has yet to name his opponent for the said tune-up fight.

Early this year Marquez was delighted to hear that Cotto was interested to face him later this year and he welcomed the offer saying it is a win-win fight for the two of them.

"I think the [fight is a] win-win for both fighters. If you win, then you win over a great fighter. And if you lose, then you also lose to a great fighter. It doesn't hurt [your career and legacy," he said. Read more:

Marquez did not disclose his next fight plan after the failed Cotto fight negotiations but he said he is looking at winding down his career soon.